GRAMBLING — Walking the new turf at Eddie Robinson Stadium for the first time earlier this month, Grambling State Athletic Director Paul Bryant thought about the Hall of Fame football coach and his mind traveled back to 1983.

The stadium debuted that season and Robinson, the Tigers’ longtime head coach, played an integral role in moving the football team from Grambling Stadium over to The Hole.

“I’m thinking about coach Eddie Rob, I’m thinking about what he would say,” Bryant said. “When he opened this field, he was so elated.”

Since it opened, the 19,600-seat venue hadn’t received a major facelift until work started this past May on $2.4 million projects to lay new artificial turf and a new 48-by-25 football videoboard. Hellas Construction completed the base work and finished rolling out the artificial playing surface. Stitching down of the midfield “G,” the yard-line numbers down each sideline and the letters in the end zone, followed by the addition of the pellets and cooling agent are all that remains for completion.

A partnership with Origin Bank and Coca-Cola made the upgrades possible and the project was funded through Grambling's university foundation.

The screen of the new jumbotron has been erected by Nevco, while the wiring of the video, installation of the sound system plus a ‘G’ at the top of the front and the back cover of the scoreboard that will display a large ‘G’ — both GSU logos illuminated – still have to be put in place at this time.

Padding for the new brick walls that line the field will arrive early this week, marking the final piece of the renovations. Everything is set to be completely done Thursday, according to Bryant, two days ahead of the school’s jamboree.

The G-Men will get their first look and feel of the new turf on Tuesday, less than three weeks before their 2017 home opener versus Northwestern State on Sept. 9, broadcast by ESPN Networks, where the fan experience will be “electrifying.”

“The fan experience is what we want to enhance. That’s the operative word. When you come here to Grambling, we already know we have a championship-caliber team. But we want all of the events be championship caliber,” Bryant said. “We’re going to have a kids’ zone, we’re going to do Kiss Cam on the video screen, which is something that we haven’t had because we haven’t had the screen. There’s going to be so much interaction between the screen and our fans that when they leave, they’re going to be excited to get back to one of our football games.

“I think that Sept. 9 game against Northwestern State, it is going to be electrifying. People are going to want to come and see our championship football team and then we have these upgrades they want to be a part of. I think it’s just going to be one festive environment that we encourage everyone to come out. I mean, everyone. There’s not too many people playing that day, so come on our and support. And it’s going to be on ESPN, so that’s going to encourage the excitement a little bit. I can’t wait to see all the people here and watch how they react because we’re going to let some people come on the field and feel it before the game.”

That same electrifying energy has bolted through the rest of the athletic department as improvements to Grambling’s baseball, softball and soccer fields have been made as well as new tennis courts are on the way, all vital steps to helping GSU become more attractive.

“I think the impact of these upgrades are going to be phenomenal both for us in recruiting not only student-athletes, but students. People want to be a part of a championship-winning program and it helps with our recruiting as a whole,” Bryant said. “It is very critical and vital for us to continue this as we move forward.”

Walking the new turf, standing next to the large ‘G’ on the 50-yard line and looking to the new videoboard brings Bryant back when he was hired by Grambling State president Rick Gallot in January. Two months later, the renovations were just a concept. Now, it’s all sinking in.

The upgrades move GSU and its football and athletic programs forward, but everything taking shape has the athletic director looking back.

“It’s been a long ride, I feel, but in reality, it’s a short ride. We’ve gotten it done and we’re excited because we know our fans are going to appreciate the turf,” Bryant said.

“I think seeing the upgrades and what’s going on, I think (Robinson) would be even more elated. It gives me a good feeling that I know he’s liking what’s going on, but it gives me a better feeling because I know my student-athletes are going to love it and appreciate what’s going on in The Hole.”